A/N: I wanted Nekozawa like a chocoholic wants a double fudge brownie with whip cream, chocolate chips, and Hershey syrup drizzled over it. Also, the terms I use describing the fight are from karate class. And some of this chapter is based on manga.
Disclaimer: Don't own Ouran or Inuyasha.
She was paralyzed from moving another inch. For years she hadn't been in a hospital as an actual patient. The last time Kagome had been was when she was about twelve and had broken her arm from rescuing a kitten out of a tree, said kitten she'd ended up adopting and naming Buyo. She'd never had the time to stop into the hospital when she was seriously hurt and tossed about in the past. With her awoken priestess powers she'd been healed in a matter of days. Illnesses came and went; Kagome could deal with those without the hospitals and just a nice warm broth from Kaede with herbs.
Standing at a hospital though unnerved her considering there was something wrong that her priestess powers couldn't fix. Sota stood beside Kagome, his hand was fisted with her own. He was going to be there for her like he'd always been. He'd been young and had idolized Kagome with no ability to help her. The only thing he'd been able to done as a child was help pack a first aid kit with his mother and cheer up Kagome when she was down. Now he was trying to get her to idolize herself and strut around courageously as she'd done years ago. He was going to take every step he could to help his sister return to herself.
This is another step forward, thought Kagome. How many times had her husband told her that her voice dispelled all darkness? Her sweetheart would murmur that he longed to wake up from dreams just to hear her chime 'Good morning!' It was about damn time to move on and take control of her life once more. You always heard about victims who kept to themselves and never ventured out again, who allowed certain things to hinder their everyday life because they wouldn't cross them for fear. She wasn't going to be one of those people.
He wasn't a big brother, but Sota was certainly a protective brother now that he'd advanced into his early teens. Sota pulled Kyoya to the side as Kagome was being examined in the room behind them. Kyoya had appeared right as their names had been called. They hadn't even had to wait, as soon as the duo had gotten through the doors attendants had flocked to them as if the only reason they were working today was for Kagome.
Sota's eyes bounced from the room where Kagome was sitting with her mouth open, not making a sound as the doctor checked her over, back to Kyoya. "Listen, we can't tell people what exactly happened to Kagome."
Kyoya actually didn't have his notebook on him today and his arms felt empty without it. "It would help if you did," said Kyoya rudely. He wondered exactly what were they trying to hide? Here he was paying for all the treatments and they'd yet to reveal anything. Not a single clue to what had happened. And he'd been spending all of his time breaking down that riddle. He had a few theories, but nothing he was 100% sure about.
"Look, I can't tell you much, but I can tell you a little," Sota sighed, just because he was exasperated with lying didn't mean he wouldn't stick up for his sister. The young teen eyed Kyoya angrily. He'd covered his sister for so long and this guy was doing a kind service to her, but she deserved more. She didn't need to explain herself. Sota though… he knew what happened vaguely. She'd hinted with sign language only to Sota at what had happened to her and had dropped it after that. "Someone made her mute. They damaged her throat."
It clicked for Kyoya. He didn't see Kagome as the type of person who would remain silent after the death of a loved one. She would be the one to want to talk it over with people. Blind fury swamped over him and for a moment a fist clenched rigidly. It was a good thing he didn't have his notebook on him otherwise it might've been damaged by his hands that just wanted to grab something. Kagome was an innocent frail girl with nothing but care towards those around her. Someone did this to Kagome. They'd crippled a flower that bloomed for all. Purposefully. Thoughts flooding Kyoya's analytic mind with possible scenarios at how this happened and he gave each scene their weighted credit to possibly being true. Dark thoughts of Kagome being strangled popped up. He imagined her gasping for air. Maybe someone had hit her windpipe instead. Such thoughts wouldn't keep him focused and he was beginning to develop a mind like Tamaki's. No! He needed legit facts before he assumed things. That didn't stop the anger Kyoya was feeling as he decided he needed to go do something and keep himself from breaking things. If he only knew who the perpetrator was of this than he'd be able to unleash his police force on them and let the person suffer a thousand hells for it before dumping them in a remote location.
"I understand," he said coolly, not a crinkle in his calm face, before leaving Sota to inform the doctor to look for specific things. When someone intentionally tried to damage a person's throat there were areas that were often targeted.
Throughout the tests Kyoya stood outside. He prided himself on data and so it was expected that he was right there when results came; his eyes saw before anyone else. Now that Kyoya knew what happened he needed to know how to fix it. Most people were mute from birth, had problems with their throat such as their vocal chords or their tongue, but things were different with Kagome. She'd become mute after something traumatic happened to her and someone had hurt her. He just didn't know what exactly happened, but Kyoya had a feeling it had to do with her boyfriend's death. It seemed too coincidental to not be linked. Maybe someone had ganged up on Kagome and her boyfriend, killed him and injured her. Surely it would've been reported in the papers unless they'd gone somewhere rural where news was low key, which narrowed down places immensely for him to research.
Kyoya followed the doctor to the room where Kagome was waiting and when she caught his eye she waved him in. He was willing to bet that she was as nervous as a cat on a tin roof. Kyoya paused for a moment, not wanting to go in and associate himself because that would deepen his connection to her. However, if Kyoya were really trying to stay away from her than he should've never looked in her large doe wide blue eyes. Damn! Those pretty orbs were just as bad as Tamaki's puppy eyes. They reeled him in like a fresh catch.
"She wants you to tell her," said Sota, cutting to the chase. The doctor shared a glance with Kyoya before passing him the manila folder with the results in it. Kyoya was studying to be a doctor and he was the top of his class… and his family owned the hospital.
He skimmed over the paper for a moment, peering through his glasses as if he didn't already know what was there. Kyoya knew that what was on that paper was extraordinary. It was a real find in science. "Your voice box was damaged Kagome." Obvious statement considering the lack of speech. He placed up a picture against the screen so she could see the zoomed in spot where part of her throat looked quite a mess. With the latest hospital technology at Kyoya's disposal it had been easy to get an insight to her throat. Kagome was just tired of being in a hospital since they'd been there for a few hours. "We can clearly see where you were hurt." Red marks, obvious signs of scarring. She feared the worst just looking at it. Kagome's hand reached out for Sota's whose hand was there ready for her to hold onto. Kyoya's eyes locked onto their shared fingers and for a moment he wondered what it would've been like to have close siblings like that. He was only close to his elder sister, his brothers didn't want anything to dow tih them since Mr. Ootori had made a competition out of everything they did between each other. Kyoya wished he were as close to his sister as those two though.
"But something remarkable happened." Kyoya looked up from their hands. His pretty grays were steadily situated on her face. He wanted to see if there was a reaction. If she might know why the unique happened in her case when he explained it. "Somehow your voice box has healed over. There are faint scars in the throat, but tissue has repaired itself in drastic ways that we've never seen before. It's impossible for someone with your damage to heal without surgery." There it was. That brief flash of knowledge in her cerulean eyes, Kagome's grip to Sota's hand, and the faint tugging smile on her peachy lips. She knew why. And Kyoya didn't. And didn't it irritate him to hell and back? How could she know how to heal her throat like that? A miracle discovery in the medical field and she knew exactly why!
"Since your voice box has healed over that means nothing's wrong with your throat aside from lack of use and a little bit of strain. The fact that you haven't used it means the muscles are lax and speaking will be a trial, but you can go to speaking therapy to remedy that-"
"We can't afford that," grumbled Sota. He was already standing in front of his sister now taking the dominant role in fighting off anyone who wanted them to initial and sign the rest of their funds away. It wasn't like Sota didn't want her to speak, he missed hearing her nag him to pick up his clothes or stop bothering her, but he knew their funds were insufficient. They were barely making ends meet as it was.
Kagome's eyes were downcast at the stumbling block that kept popping up in her family's way. Money. It didn't make the world go round, but it definitely made things happen. Looked like she'd be trying to get her voice back herself. Maybe she could take out a loan, she was almost old enough… or she could wait a little longer until after high school and save some money up… She certainly didn't take having a voice for granted and now she would give almost anything to say a full sentence.
And it happened again for Kyoya to do something shocking. He was positive he was doing it for the fact that by doing such he could possibly guilt Kagome's family into telling him the riddle's answer, but some small part of him simply wanted to help just because it was her. He was becoming far too attached to the priestess. Especially when he saw that solemn face that said she was used to putting things off because of finances. It struck a chord in his heart and normally Kyoya wasn't one to give in concerning such matters that involved the lives of someone else. Kyoya felt the need to prove to Kagome that he could do something nice. "I'll pay expenses." Again, he thought wryly. Well, most people spent money on items, he'd just have to cut a few things in the Host Club. It wasn't like the hosts would notice if he cut a few extravagant things. It wasn't too big of a deal considering just how wealthy he was.
This has to be a trick, thought Kagome instantly. She expected him to dole out a list of things he wanted her to do for him. Kyoya was reading Kagome better and better with everyday because it was like he could read her thoughts on her face. "Nothing is needed in return." Hell has definitely frozen over, she vowed and the only thing she could do was stare in shock. Sota nudged her with his elbow.
And Kagome stood up and went up to Kyoya, she looked at him nervously and for the second time… Kagome hugged him, clipboard and all. Her face pressed against his chest considering he had nine inches on her in height. Those archer arms gripped his waist and she felt his clipboard poke her in the shoulder. Kyoya raised one hand to wrap around her shoulder and for a brief moment returned the hug. He was becoming more prone to accepting moments like this from her. It didn't exactly feel wrong, it felt right and if her brother hadn't been in the room Kyoya would've honestly lingered in the moment. Instead, he let go of Kagome with a pat to her head. The gratitude welling in those ocean blues was more than enough. However, for Kagome she was beginning to wonder the worst… Was she a charity case for Kyoya Ootori?
Aiding and abiding in kidnapping. She should've seen those charges coming a mile away. Of course they'd never get in trouble for it. The rich and prestigious always got away with felony. Kagome and Haruhi were hauled off in a limo to a private beach for vacation that Kyoya had apparently gotten permission to use. Her bags had even been packed by her traitorous mother and son. Apparently their help had been bought easily. Honey had opened up and decided to take on an apprentice just for Shippo. Honey had agreed to teach Shippo if he got his mother's bags packed for a vacation. They'd had Shippo's full support and blessings. Just when Kagome had been excited and looking forward to speech classes too. That wasn't the only thing, though Kyoya was helping her family significantly with taking her to the doctor and paying for her voice coach that she'd be learning from when they got back from vacation… the shrine was in severe decline. They had the few devout customers and every once in a while a random one, but the shrine was old and breaking. When she and Sota had time off from school and homework they were both putting elbow grease and man hours into fixing up the shrine. Kagome knew it would take a lot of tender love and care to get the shrine to what it looked like in its prime.
The others were busy around her. Tamaki was trying to learn the license plate game from Haruhi. The twins were playing on their consoles. Mori was snoozing while Honey ate cake beside him and watched the portable television in the limo. Kyoya was scribbling away at that notebook like always so she was free to her own thoughts.
Now that she had an education to maintain Kagome was allowed less time to help customers leaving her grandfather and mother to attend to those matters. She'd barely been a trickle of extra money when her talents surfaced and she brought in customers. All of this was why Kagome had several newspapers in her yellow backpack that she'd snagged from neighbors and vendors. She was determined to look through the ads, hopefully someone would have an email address since she couldn't talk on a phone, and hopefully there would be a job that didn't require much communication. It was so hard to find a job in the economy when your ability to speak was gone. Kagome pulled the yellow backpack closer to her chest and felt beady eyes upon her. When she looked up Kyoya glanced out at the sky. He had a new mystery. Why had Kagome looked so worried?
"Wuh-wut is he doing here?" Tamaki cried out with his arm waving back and forth pointing an accusing finger at a figure in a dark cloak. Tamaki was hiding behind Mori while at the same time shielding an annoyed Haruhi behind him. Umehito Nekozawa, known by his last name at the school, had come to greet them in front of the mansion. Kagome had yet to meet him, she'd seen rare appearances in the Host Club as he walked to his dark arts room, but she'd never made his acquaintance. Now she had his full attention aimed at her. Ever since he'd greeted them he hadn't been able to look away from Kagome. There was a dark power in Nekozawa that was an attraction as well as a hazard. He was a creature of darkness and she was a being of illumination. Both of them were of the same origin though.
"It's obvious that Nekozawa has graciously allowed us to stay on his family's private beach," Kyoya commented. This had been a way merely to cement a deal between he and Nekozawa. The dark arts president had requested that Kyoya allow him to provoke Tamaki when he wished as well as garnered an artifact that Kyoya had in his possession. The item in question was a trifle really that the Ootori family didn't want, but had accepted because of a business associate gifting it to them. A staff with two mummified heads. Kyoya would've given it away freely had he the will to do so, but he'd waited for the opportune moment for the staff to benefit him. And it had come. A weekend at Nekozawa's prime real estate beach seemed worthy of a trade of some old cane with two dusty heads on it.
Nekozawa tilted his head when he caught Kagome staring back at him and he drifted to her unconsciously by the purity that radiated from her aura. It was expected that he would be fascinated by something so forbidden. Two opposites and he was pulled to her. "What is your name priestess?" He dared to ask.
Kagome looked to the others for help since she couldn't speak. Instead Hiikaru and Kaoru siddled up to either side of her as intimidating as they could. "Kagome has no interest in dark arts-" Began Hikaru.
The younger twin wrapped an arm around Kagome's shoulders protectively. "So you can take a hi-" Kagome covered Kaoru's mouth with her hands and shook her head at the hasty speaking of her friends. The twin blushed at the touch of her fingers over his lips and Kyoya was mildly irritated to discover this little development. Kagome pulled away to bow respectively to Nekozawa in apology.
His hand reached out and touched her chin to tilt it as if getting a better look at her face. Kaoru was instantly steaming behind his brother when Kagome didn't bat the weirdo's hand away. "Mommy! He's touching her," cried Tamaki fearfully. Tamaki was almost certain that Kagome was about to be cursed by Nekozawa.
The cloaked figure ignored the hysteric Frenchman and pulled his hand away from her face to grasp her fingertips in a gentlemanly way that none suspected Nekozawa possessed. "Kagome is a very nice name. In fact, I've heard that name a time or two even in my dark scrolls." The way he said it gave no doubts that Nekozawa knew something of her. Looked like there was someone she'd need to 'talk' to if she had the chance. "Silent one, I'm Umehito Nekozawa and I graciously open my house to you. It's not often a dark priest meets a light priestess of such power and reputation. I am at your service." Kyoya reached out and plucked Nekozawa's hand right off of Kagome, finding that he couldn't stop himself in the matter. To watch her being so freely pawed with reverence. Oh, he'd seen it enough in the club, but those were customers who were paying to be kept company by her and it was within school grounds. Nekozawa was doing so outside of school grounds so things seemed a bit more personal.
"I believe it is customary to be shown to our rooms by now," Kyoya mustered in a chilling voice. He was unnaturally more sinister than usual and Tamaki was the only one to notice though he didn't say anything. In fact, his mind was reeling now as to why Kyoya was so irritable. Did he not get enough sleep that morning?
Kyoya offered his arm to Kagome and led her towards the mansion without giving Nekozawa the chance to escort them.
She snuffed her nose up at the bathing suits that were blatantly displayed on the rack in the changing room. Obvious choices made by Kaoru and Hikaru from their mother's designs. Those twins were as subtle as an elephant dancing on its hind legs in an eccentric feathered headdress. It was a good thing she'd brought her own bathing suit. Those things were so flashy and she'd feel so bad if she ripped up one of them since just looking at the price tags she knew she couldn't afford them. Heck, about five of those bathing suits would pay over a month's bills.
Kagome reached into her own backpack for a bathing suit, but found her hands came up empty in the spot where she'd placed it. She forged through the bag, taking out everything just to check and see… but the bathing suit was nowhere to be found. She'd remembered packing it though! How'd that happen? She'd only set her backpack down for a minute… Damn those twins! One of her small fist hit the wall leaving a little crack in the paint.
It was either wear a bathing suit or sweat it out the entire day like poor Haruhi was going to do. The twins probably thought she wouldn't wear the bathing suit either. She tapped her foot deliberating on whether or not to go out there. She had two choices. Don't wear the bathing suit, sweat it out, and have the twins tease her. Or wear the scanty designer bathing suit knowing it could pay for a week's meal at home all the while giving quite an eyeful. Oh to hell with it! She was a grown woman and it wouldn't be the first time someone gawked at her. The guys were wearing trunks anyway and at least the twins wouldn't charge her for this. Besides, every once in a while it was great to spoil yourself and these bathing suits were free and spoil worthy.
A nosebleed. Kyoya could actually feel himself developing a nosebleed as Kagome played tag in the enticing bikini that Hikaru and Kaoru had left as a gift for her among a rack of many. Luckily, Kyoya happened to have the innate ability of hiding his emotions… meaning he got lucky to have found a tissue tucked in his notebook and pretended to sneeze, safely covering up where his thoughts had wandered. Kaoru had completely lost it and held no restraint whatsoever. Kaoru had thought she'd be too stubborn to wear one of their bathing suits. The twins had actually put those in her changing room as a joke after taking that dowdy modest one piece she'd had from her backpack.
Hikaru hit the volleyball over towards Kaoru who was paralyzed in his spot, the ball bouncing right off his ginger head, his face was burnt red, and his nose was profusely bleeding when he caught sight of her. "Yo, Kaoru, you okay?" Hikaru said, waving a hand in front of his brother's dazed golden pupils. Kaoru was visiting his own version of Tamaki's theater in his mind with drool accompanying him. It was a downright disgrace to the Hitachiin name, but Hikaru wouldn't let that take away this opportune moment to record Kaoru's embarrassment on his cellphone camera.
If there was any doubt that Kagome was gifted with feminine attributes those thoughts were eradicated forever. She had very nice ass… ets. She was a scrumptious dainty looking figure, a curvy sweetheart, a full bloomed flower, a radiant... okay, she was hotter than hell.
Kagome wore a halter bright sailor blue bikini top and white bottoms with a blue ribbon across it banded in the waist, a little bow tied at one hip. All that blue offset her dazzling sapphire eyes and added an innocent feature to her. She ran this way and that, playing chase with the broadest smile on her face with her guests. Kyoya noticed something else, aside from her curves; Kagome was as fast as Mori and Honey. She could duck and dive away from searching hands trying to tag her like a skilled martial artist. Now this was curious indeed. He could find no information whatsoever on Kagome. No plane tickets, no passports, no train schedules… and yet supposedly she'd traveled. Had it been on foot? And if so where had she learned to move like that?
Kyoya was not a silly nervous teenage boy. He could speak to her. It had just taken him over half an hour to get up the nerve to, but at least he wasn't as transparent as Kaoru. That ginger tripped every time Kagome passed him and Kyoya had a strong inclination to believe that she was being put up to passing Kaoru on purpose by her own giggling mass of fans. Kyoya hadn't allowed any of the boys from Ouran to come on this trip and that proved to be a great choice considering how dangerous it already was with Kagome running around in a scanty two piece showing skin. He was taking bets on how long it would take for Kaoru to trip and break something. Besides, Kyoya's own mind was distracted by the pretty visual and that was dangerous enough.
She'd just finished building a sand castle beside Kyoya with her female guests who were thrilled at playing with her something that was free and didn't cost a penny, they attributed this to pretending to be commoners. "Why don't you want to compete with the others? Perhaps you already know Haruhi's fear?" Kagome nodded her head at Kyoya's guess as she brushed the sand off her knees and left with Tamaki trailing after her begging her to at least write Haruhi's fear in the sand for him.
"I'll let you have teddy for a full hour if you tell me," whined Tamaki in the sand as Kagome blatantly ignored him. Renge was chasing after Kagome, wanting her opinion on a new cosplay outfit she was thinking of buying.
"I wonder what her fear is," mused Kyoya aloud, not knowing that two gingers were actually paying attention to him. One of said gingers had drifted closer for not-so-subtle reasons, trying to show off and build his own sand castle with his elder twin… said sand castle looking more like a mound of nothing compared to the pretty little thing Kagome had constructed.
"Oh, that's easy," shrugged Hikaru.
"Shouldn't it be obvious?" Kaoru stated.
The two were staring at Kyoya's poker face. You could never tell whether that guy was going to give you an inch and admit that he didn't know something. "Remember that day the power went out in the Host Club?" Hikaru said. Renge's machine did use far too much electricity. He could recall quite clearly now that they mentioned the situation how Kagome had seemingly disappeared from his side. Now that he reflected on it she had appeared like she'd been huddled in a ball on the ground and not merely sitting cross legged. "Kagome's scared-"
"Of the dark," finished Kaoru. It was irrational for her to be scared of the dark, but for some reason it was her own fear. And the gentler twin added something that even his brother hadn't been there to notice. "And she hates spiders. Can't tolerate those little guys. Kagome flipped and took her shoe to one when we were alone." Kyoya was speechless that they knew something about her he hadn't noticed, not that he was going to let on that he was irritated at that fact. He jotted down a note. He would be requesting a nightlight in all of the rooms now just in case. Despite the fact that he was higher in social class than Kagome, Kyoya was also a little peeved that Kaoru had been alone with her at some point.
While all the male members of the club were going around trying to scare Haruhi, Kagome was checking ads with actual emails attached to them. She highlighted each one. Kyoya had noticed her furiously engrossed in her work, but he hadn't a foggy idea what it was until one of the clients mentioned it.
"Job listings? What's that Kagome?" "Are you looking for another place to work?" "Oh no! Are you leaving the Host Club?"
Sometimes it really was a trial to have female fans whose mouths ran faster than she could give answers. Kagome waved her arms in the air to quell the tears that were beginning to flow from her own private fans. Margie, Yula, and Renge were always her top three girls who came to her with their little problems. Kagome hastily wrote in the sand to voice her answers. "Oh, just a part time job to help your family," sighed Margie. A few seconds passed until Yula voiced a question that made Kagome wonder just how sheltered they were. "What's a part time job?"
Kyoya walked over and snatched the paper out of Kagome's hands, lifting it up so he could peer down at the black ink letters. Not a single one. None of them were good enough for her. He ripped the newspaper up and quick as a flash Kagome had risen up with unbridled fury. She had been used to Inuyasha pushing her around, but she'd put him in his place. "I've got a job for you," he pleasantly offered her snapping eyes. She stomped and bent down to retrieve the ripped up pieces of paper. The wind began blowing a few scraps, but that didn't deter her. "Aren't you even interested in what it is?" Kagome huffed and wrote across a rip of the newspaper. All her preconceived notions about Kyoya taking her on to appease his wicked soul as charity were in the forefront of her mind. She couldn't help thinking it considering she was so... so... common! Kagome had never worried about social standing, but it was hard not feeling it around this group of teens who didn't really have to try for their futures.
I will not be your errand girl! Or your charity case!
Did Kyoya actually just roll his eyes? She could've sworn she'd seen that behind those glasses. "I neither want you as an errand girl nor a charity case. I'm merely looking out for a friend."
Now there was a word Kagome had rarely, if ever, heard Kyoya use. They matched each other's stare for a long moment before she finally sighed and tapped her foot waiting for him to explain. Kyoya held up his phone and dialed a number real quick. She stood there, eyes unwavering from his form as she waited. You know, in a pair of trunks he was a bit less intimidating than normal. And he wasn't exactly bad looking. Actually, on a scale of one to ten Kyoya was pretty much a certifiable hunk. Just because he was wearing a blouse that was barely even cracked at the top did nothing to stymie the effect of the little bit of chest showing. If she could fathom a guess it would be that Kyoya was very fit under that shirt given the brief glances of his rustling shirt. Brown trunks suited those tall legs of his. Kagome's face flushed remembering how he appeared without glasses over those eyes and she tried to quell her thoughts. But damn, she'd been with a pervert and now she was turning into a pervert.
"Yes, this is Kyoya Ootori," he answered the person who picked up the phone. Kyoya had straightened up a bit when he realized he was under an oblivious Kagome's scrutiny. He prided himself a bit on keeping fit with his own private gym. "I wanted to ask about what we discussed this week and if you've come to a decision." Kyoya made a humming noise as he nodded his head. He may not have been smiling but she could tell he was pleased with whatever was being said on the phone. "Yes, she's here. I'll ask Kagome and get right back to you sir. Thank you Mr. Suoh."
Kyoya deftly snapped the phone shut and slid it into his pocket. He smiled like she owed him big time for what he'd just done. "I've managed to speak to Tamaki's father about having a signing teacher. He's willing to hire you during your usual study hall period. I know you've been using that time to catch up, but if you wish I can tutor you given that you agree to help me out with sign language whenever I wish." He had his own purposes that he needed to prove to his father over and he was going to use Kagome to do it. If he could get one over his father by using her he would and he had a plan in the makings regarding the little priestess.
Kagome knew he wanted a final answer right there and then. She'd be a fool to refuse him considering how much she knew professors at Ouran were paid. "Oh you'll be a professor," cooed Margie giddily. "I'm going to sign up for that class! What about you Renge?"
"Count me in! We can learn how to speak to Kagome," giggled the French heiress. All these girls had was time on their hands to do what they liked. They really didn't have to worry about classes to take considering they'd marry an heir or be given their family's company.
Kagome gave a nod of her head. She didn't like it when Kyoya held so much over her. Sure he wasn't extorting her, but she felt indebted to him regardless. Kagome wasn't used to being given so much. Maybe he just saw her as a pet project or something. He was rich and powerful, maybe this was to make his conscience feel better for the evil lurking within. Did Kyoya have a conscience? Well, he'd done so much for her. And he was showing a kind side that she'd heard was rare to see.
Kaoru was exceedingly tempted to beg Nekozawa for a curse on Kyoya with what happened next. Kagome bashfully stood up on her tip toes, hand touching Kyoya's shoulder briefly for balance, and placed a light peck on his cheek. Immediately she walked away, a bounce in her step as she headed towards the cliff where she'd seen Haruhi walking towards. Kaoru stomped away with his chuckling twin behind him. The girls tittered. Kyoya had to ball up his fingers to keep from touching his cheek. A scarlet blush couldn't be stopped no matter how hard he tried to suppress his thoughts.
Why was she always pulled to danger? Who was she kidding? Kagome always had impeccable timing when something perilous was going on. As soon as she'd caught sight of the girls running for help for Haruhi, Kagome had flown like a bullet for her friend, Tamaki running ahead of her. The twins ran from the back and Kyoya was… actually walking rather quickly. Normally he took his time with everything, but this time his strides were longer than usual. Haruhi was pushed into the water just as Kagome crowned the roof of rocks. All she saw was Tamaki's trunks flaring out as he dove after Haruhi.
Kagome, Hikaru, Kaoru, and Kyoya were left with the two punks. Before any of the young men could move, Kagome had already delivered retribution. Her hand had flattened out and she'd gifted one with a swift palm fist, breaking his nose on impact. The other guy ran up behind her and she sent two sidekicks with her leg turned and toes pointed connecting first at his shin and then his ribs making him double over. The guy with the bleeding nose didn't have enough of the fight and charged towards her throwing out a punch that Kagome used an inside center block, moving her arm outwards to block him, to escape before jabbing him twice in the gut.
She stepped away and spat at them. Anger glowed in her eyes and for a moment Kyoya actually feared for the safety of the two delinquents. Kagome looked like she was ready to push them off the cliff, rocks be damned. However, instead of ending their lives, her fingers flexed a bit and she stepped back letting the two men limp off leaning on each other. Men who took advantage of women, who pushed people off of cliffs, they held no place of mercy in her heart. Hikaru broke the silence. "Where the hell-"
"Did that come from?" Kaoru finished. He and his twin were dumbfounded with a moon eyed expression. Kyoya was speechless. Skills like that people would pay heavy money for with how swift she'd moved and defended. Kagome obviously didn't have the money to learn any of that. So where had she picked it up? It posed the question; if Kagome had learned martial arts like that, something that couldn't be learned in months but years, then why had she needed to know it? The damage to her throat had been only a year ago, so what was it that made her take up defense lessons before that?
Kyoya's mind did remember to call his security guards to see to the two injured trespassers. They probably hadn't gotten far considering the state Kagome had put them in.
Kagome glanced at the red tinged bandage wrapped around Haruhi's leg where she'd scraped it, sitting in her bedroom where she'd changed into something dry. Kagome could heal that if she wished. What was keeping her from it? Exposure. In the past people had thought Kagome was a blessing. Here people would ostracize or study her like an experiment. People just couldn't go on blind faith anymore without needing science to back it up. She was determined though to use her powers on people with a sleight of hand if she could… but she could trust Haruhi. They'd grown up together, two 'commoners' who'd both lost their parents and been there for each other. Kagome slumped her shoulders. Kaede would instruct her that no matter what the cost there was a greater good to be given. Kagome unwound the bandage, raising a hand and placed her hands on either side of the nasty injury. It had been cleaned, but it still shone open and red. "Kagome what are you-"
Kagome looked both ways to make sure she was safe and her fingers lit up a rich pink color. Warmth glided over Haruhi's wound and the skin began to heal over with a shiny gloss of new skin left behind. Instinctively Haruhi jerked back quite startled. "Oh my god! How did that-" Kagome reached up and placed a hand over Haruhi's mouth shaking her head for Haruhi to keep the noise down. Haruhi reached up to retract Kagome's fingers from her lips and whispered. "What did you do?"
The priestess simply pulled away the rest of the bandage from Haruhi's creamy leg. "But how?" Kagome mouthed the word 'priestess.'
"Can all priestesses do that?" A shake of the head and then Kagome pointed to herself. "Just you?" A modest dip of the head in a nod. Kagome held Haruhi's hands for a long moment, trying to get her to understand. The blues pleaded with Haruhi's caramel. She brought a finger across her lips like she was zipping them together before a light hit the scholarship student's eyes. "I'll keep it a secret Kagome." The two commoners stared at one another for a good moment. "I'm glad you're back Kagome," confided Haruhi. It was nice having someone else who was so similar to you in the school. No matter how the rich prattled and made them feel inferior just by standing in their presence, these two knew that they were at Ouran for something more than looks unlike the other students. The priestess's face swelled with gratitude for Haruhi and she got up to sit beside her, looping an arm over Haruhi's shoulders companionably. Actions spoke louder than words and Kagome conveyed perfectly how mutual the feeling was.
Tamaki's illusion of females being frail and damsels in distress was shattered upon watching Kagome. "Girls are supposed to be delicate," he whimpered. He'd just argued with Haruhi and was sulking because she wasn't speaking to him. Nope, she was perched on a bench in the garden just below them, looking at the flowers around the Nekozawa beach estate.
"Apparently boss, Kagome can kick ass," commented Hikaru. That was the day's understatement. They were watching an interesting view from the outside patio that overlooked not just a garden, but a nice grassy yard that lead to a white picketed fence where the sandy beach met the grass. Just ahead of Haruhi was a sparring match going on between Kagome and the most dangerous weapon on earth. Honey. She was keeping up with him too and the little fair haired lolita was beyond impressed. Kagome was like water in her movements. Limbs moved as fast as the wind as she blocked half of his moves and knocked him off his feet with a swipe of the leg.
Mori even took notice wondering if she could spar with weapons. The giant of a host got out the spear he'd used trying to scare Haruhi earlier that day and held up one identical to it tossing it to Kagome. The priestess caught and wielded the weapon like she knew how to use it. Apparently she did when she blocked Mori's attack as Honey stepped out of the sparring to watch them go at it. She was supposed to be cute and innocent! Innocent, a pretty word that gave false pretense as it was wrapped over a dangerous package.
"Yeah, but why would she need to know martial arts?" Kaoru asked, leaning his chin on his hand. None of them could really make out any of Kagome's past. It was a bit unfair considering she was worming her way into their hearts as easily as Haruhi had. She seemed to understand them too, as if she knew everything about them. Of course none of the members knew that being quiet had left her the advantage of being forgotten sometimes, meaning she had actually indeed found out everything about them. "Yo Kyoya, do you know where-"
"-Kagome was all that time out of school?" finished Hikaru.
And for once Kyoya astounded them with his blasphemous answer. "I haven't a clue." As much as it bothered them that even Kyoya didn't know they could tell it bothered him even more. Kyoya was pissed that he couldn't dig up anything.
Kyoya's eyes trailed down to Haruhi who'd stood up when Mori had begun dueling Kagome. The wind blew a soft breeze that stirred her dress like the grass and he noticed something peculiar. As her skirt blew up a bit to show her two thin legs he saw where the bandage had been wrapped earlier. There was no bandage. Not a single scratch marred her flesh. How could that be? He'd seen that long jagged mark himself and had patched it up before leaving and letting Kagome into the room… It clicked. It was beyond logical, but it was the only way Haruhi could've healed so fast from that scrape. He knew Kagome was a priestess; he'd just disbelieved any notion regarding the original reasons for priestesses. Apparently she wasn't an ordinary one. Nekozawa's words echoed back to him. "It's not often a dark priest meets a light priestess of such power and reputation." He'd thought it odd that Nekozawa had heard of Kagome's powers since she was just a shrine priestess from a pauper's temple. But it made sense now. Nekozawa knew Kagome's abilities in a way Kyoya didn't. Now how would he get a hand on those scrolls? Kyoya could sniff out a clue when presented and Nekozawa was wafting with the odor that said he knew what exactly had happened to Kagome.
He felt like some petty thief and yet he had garnered full permission to access this room dreary candle lit room. Kyoya had casually strolled, snuck more like it, into the library searching for the scrolls. Nekozawa wasn't a simpleton; they wouldn't be sitting out for everyone to see considering they were ancient scrolls worth a hefty penny. They wouldn't be placed in any of the casings, but there were a few very old trunks lined up that Kyoya began popping open to find rolled up pieces of parchment wrapped in a plastic covering to preserve them. There had to be about sixty scrolls in every trunk. He went to reach for one when the jiggling of the door handle caught his attention. Kyoya shut the trunk and dodged into a corner of the room under a twirling staircase, he had his knees pulled up to his chest. This was humiliating, but before he could even consider standing up to merely tell whomever it was that he was visiting the library they came striding in.
"Kagome, I think you'll be interested in seeing something I acquired," boasted Nekozawa. Now it was Kyoya's priority to keep his location a secret. He stayed right where he was and made himself comfy. Curiosity may have killed the cat but he was Kyoya Ootori, he was the man who was good at capturing said cat without anyone finding out.
Nekozawa opened weapon cabinet. Kyoya prepared himself to jump should something happen. How far would this creeper go? Kyoya had thought Nekozawa to be a trifling matter, nothing more than a head case like most of the eccentric students running around the school. Would he hurt Kagome though? And out came the staff with two heads. Just that useless staff, thought Kyoya with a roll of his eyes as he leaned back where he hid completely relaxed now. If anything Kagome would be disgusted…
Immediately Kagome stole the staff from Nekozawa and held it to her chest like a lost treasure. Fingers stroked the ancient wood reverently with countless memories playing about in her mind. She may not have been able to exclaim properly over this gift Nekozawa had shown her, but the expressions on her face and the hand movements were enough thanks that the dark magic follower knew she appreciated this gesture. What had Kyoya missed that was important about that bit of wood and dried heads he'd forked over?
Kyoya spared a peek to see Kagome's eyes swimming with questions. Nekozawa pushed back his cloak, his black wig shielding him well, but there was scant light in the library to begin with, just a few flickering candles that the servants checked on constantly for fear of them catching fire to something. "This originally belonged to a great canine demon lord, of which I'm sure you know. Lord Sesshomaru. He was aided by a kappa and a dragon." Pieces of a riddle Kyoya instantly recognized.
"My family only knows because we have some scrolls-" He walked over towards the very trunk that Kyoya had been snooping around in. Kyoya edged backwards a bit to remain out of sight, eyes watching Nekozawa's sweeping cloak and feet. "The Nekozawa's have worshipped cats for centuries. Supposedly we're descended from a cat demon." Nekozawa plucked his wig off and sat it on a desk so Kagome could see the shining threads of straw colored hair. He had lighter hair than Tamaki and it looked so soft it reminded her of a cat demon she'd known in her lifetime. "One by the name of Kirara was gifted the ability to turn human upon the fall of Naraku so that she could live companionably with those she'd protected. It was after the lady who traveled through time, one named Kagome, disappeared upon the conclusion of the fight."
Time travel? Kyoya questioned. It certainly fit the riddle. He shook his head and continued to be nosy, it was what he excelled at.
Nekozawa flared out his energy just light enough for Kagome to feel. The warmth of a fire demon. It wasn't much considering he was mixed. He wasn't full, but it was enough to get a reaction from her. Kagome's breath hitched in her throat and Nekozawa cast her a smile upon finding that his words weren't falling on deaf ears. So this really was the same Kagome. He hadn't been honestly sure, just something in his genes were drawing him to her side like an obedient feline. Maybe it was something about Kirara wanting Kagome to know that no matter how timed passed there were still demons, or at least hybrids, in the world with her. That and her aura had been thriving with a power far off the charts of what he was used to feeling around priestesses and priests in this day and age. He couldn't pick up on most people's auras, his strengths were more in the dark priest area than the demonic, but because she was like him he'd known. Nekozawa had his family tree to rely on for his strengths. Although light was his one weakness, he could create fire from his fingers should he choose. Nekozawa had followed after Kohakku's genes. Kohakku had been drawn to the darkness, learning dark magic to use for good. A trade had been made, Kohakku sacrificed his ability to see the light of day for the gift of being able to use dark magic for good.
"Kirara had some demonic features, despite that she married a human. One named Kohakku. She did pass on when he died since they were bound. He'd died fighting off demons raiding a village…" Kagome placed the cane down, leaning it against the wall, and strode over towards Nekozawa, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch his face. In the faint light in the room his hair was reminiscent to Kirara's hair when caught in the right light it appeared a blend of blonde and white. "You're Kagome, the one from fables aren't you? My ancestors fought with you." She chewed on her bottom lip and nodded. His eyes lit up. "I knew you didn't die! You couldn't die." She just went home, Nekozawa thought. And because of what he was, Nekozawa could see exactly what was wrong with Kagome. She's cursed.
Of course Kyoya could see none of this since the duo were now out of his range, but he could hear. And it was confirmed that whatever lay in that chest contained vital news that he'd been seeking about myths… though these two treated myths like they were real. Normally he'd question a person's sanity with what they were spouting off… but Kagome was too sane in the mind. Nekozawa may be a little off his rocker with that dark arts stuff, but he didn't show any signs of a lack of intelligence. Then again, sometimes the craziest are the smartest, thought Kyoya. Could he really believe in demons though? And if this was all true that meant Kagome travelled in time just as the riddle said. Applying this new direction to the riddle, everything fit perfectly. He was just missing the legendary stone, the swords, and the cursed beings.
Kagome could see in Nekozawa's eyes Kohakku's linage as well as the facial features. She wondered what a beauty Kirara must've been as a human. "I delve in black arts so I'll try to help you priestess. My family owes you that much." He wiped at her face and she realized she'd been crying. It was just so nice to know what happened to two of her past friends. She felt nothing but friendship towards Nekozawa now. "I will excuse myself and leave you to this trunk. Everything in my home is at your disposal. I believe I'm going to begin working on finding a cure for you now." She caught his meaning. With a bow Nekozawa walked out of the room in search for his special books that might give a clue as to how to fix Kagome.
A breath of relief whooshed out of her.
Kyoya heard light footsteps and then quiet. He waited about 10 minutes before he crawled out from his hiding spot. When he looked up he froze to find the patient Kagome waiting for him from where she sat on top of the trunk. She'd known he was in the room the moment Nekozawa had led her in here. Kyoya brushed himself off. No use in pretending he hadn't heard a word now. "There are stories about you?" She saw the disbelief in his face before she heard it in his voice. Great! Another person to shun her. She should've just left him and pretended she didn't know he was in the room. Kagome walked over to the trunk instead, popped it open with a click, and gestured her arm towards the trunk with a 'here you are' look. Then she left him to his damn research without a second glance back. Sometimes silence had the loudest voice and her silence was yelling at him that if dare judge her for anything, such as insanity, she would make him regret it. That... and she'd been glowing -literally glowing!- pink on the way out of the room. He'd wanted proof and there it was beaming back at him as she left.
When Kagome and Haruhi arrived to dinner it wasn't just Tamaki's blood that had him pinken because of their cute outfits. Haruhi was wearing a frilly light pink dress her father had forced into her bag and Kagome was wearing a light blue dress that brought out her darker blue eyes with dainty sleeves and a lacy trim on the bodice that covered but hinted subtly at her hidden chest. Without meaning to Kyoya stood up as they entered, this was something a gentleman normally did when a lady was in attendance… but both girls were commoners. It went unnoticed though as the other hosts jumped up to admire the pretty confections the girls were wearing.
Soon it was found that Haruhi wasn't the only one holding a grudge. Kagome sat right across from Kyoya, beside Kaoru, as if to dare Kyoya throughout the dinner to say something like a smartass. The truth was, Kyoya had read the scrolls and snapped pictures of them with his camera, not knowing when he'd get to glimpse them again. Apparently, at the end of the battle for the world in Japan between an evil demon known as Naraku, the Shikon priestess had disappeared completely along with a cursed monk who'd been swallowed by his wind tunnel. The scrolls went onto describe what happened afterwards, how the lord of the west married a demon slayer. Nekozawa's ancestor was mentioned with her marriage, then again the documents were initialed by her husband. There was even the marriage of Kagome's ancestors, that priestess he'd read about and the demon... well, according to the scrolls he'd been a half demon. The lord of the west had rekindled his relationship with his brother not just because of the war, but because his ward had married Inuyasha. Though all of it didn't seem logical Kyoya had a hard time ruling it out. He had no other leads for the riddle and this remained his most defining lead. No matter how improbable it had to be the truth.
The meal progressed with Haruhi diving into her meal and Kagome being… well silent. She was always silent, but if anything she was more silent than usual. Her actions were frigid as she ate at the salad on the side of her plate. Truthfully, she wasn't hungry. "I think Gome-chan's maaaaad," sang Honey. "You okay Gome-chan?" She just shrugged and went on eating.
Kaoru nudged her elbow with his own and she looked up at him. Kaoru didn't even have to ask like the boisterous Hikaru did who questioned her in between bites while his younger brother stared at her waiting for a reply. "What's got you all angry Kagome?" The sweeter of the twins was concerned over her; you could see it in his eyes. She patted Kaoru's cheek with her hand and her face dimpled up in a soft smile as if to tell him that it wasn't anything important. Kyoya's grey eyes watched the exchange through somber eyes and a tight lipped mouth. When she looked up at Kyoya over the table he looked apologetic. She came close to forgiving him right there and would've had not Tamaki asked Kyoya to escort him back to his room. Kagome got up and threw down her napkin, going to take Tamaki's arm as an invite to let her walk with him. She waved Kyoya back down to his seat and he reluctantly sat back in his place. But the small gesture didn't go unnoticed by him. This was her silently accepting his unspoken apology.
And Kaoru got up to follow after, remembering that Kagome didn't like the dark. Kyoya was left to glare at the shut door while Hikaru snickered, much the wiser by now. "Missed that chance Kyoya."
Kyoya cast the elder twin a venomous look of the eyes while maintaining a cool front. "Did you say something?"
"Not a word," responded Hikaru, knowing full well that a tight trap would benefit him when it came to facing a man whose family owned a police force. He enjoyed life far too much to further provoke Kyoya.
"Do you think I'll never get to speak to her ever again?" Tamaki crooned pathetically, weeping dramatically as Kaoru and Kagome walked on one side of him. She was in the middle so as to be protected should anything happen, though Kagome was probably the most lethal of the three.
"Give it time boss," replied Kaoru. Kagome nodded and tugged on Tamaki's sleeve.
Tamaki was cheered by her expression since she knew Haruhi better than any of them did. "You think so too Kagome?" She nodded and lifted up a pinky finger in something that all children had learned whether rich or poor. "You pinky promise?" Tamaki went all starry eyed as he latched his pinky onto hers. "Thank you Kagome," he chirped, wandering into his room that they'd led him safely to.
The priestess shook her head with a cute lopsided smile. Tamaki really was something. She was waiting for the moment when his brains and heart would crash and he'd realized he was mooning over Haruhi. "I highly doubt he's going to figure out any time soon," yawned Kaoru as if reading her mind. He wrapped an arm comfortably around Kagome's shoulders. "I can't believe he forgot where we're all sleeping. We're on the same hall," he said exasperatedly. Tamaki's ditzy moments just made him more likable because he really was a pure soul, albeit a bit conceited at times. Kagome's room was in between Kyoya's and Haruhi's. Tamaki's was right next to Kyoya's, in this case 'next' meant a good distance considering the room size. Across was Mori's room, Honey's, and the twin's. Kagome stared at Kaoru's door with a raised brow. "What?"
Her two pointer fingers pressed side by side like a pair of identical twins and then she split them. "We've never slept in separate rooms," explained Kaoru. "I know most people might not understand, but its hard to break away from something you're so used to." Kagome caught Kaoru's wrist that hung over her shoulder and nodded. She understood completely. Shippo always slept in her bed and before him she'd shared pallets with her pack. It was hard being alone when you were used to having people around. "You understand?" Kagome pulled out her wallet to show a picture of Shippo. "Oh." And Kaoru knew then that she never slept alone either. Kagome ruffled his hair before inching out from under his arm and heading towards her own room. Her wallet was clutched tight in her fingers as she offered him a sweet bob of the head and a soft smile. "Night Kagome," he called sheepishly. She waved back and disappeared into her room.
Kaoru fumbled for the doorknob behind him and muttered to himself, "I've got to step up my A-game."
No, she didn't carry lotion to help with sunburns. You'd think 'Little-miss-fix-it' would have a medical kit on her like in the past, but Kagome's family had packed her bags strictly for vacation and she wasn't exactly about to let anyone other than Haruhi in on her gifts. The priestess padded over in her pink pajama bottoms and white tank top to Tamaki, she wasn't about to let him wander the halls alone considering this was the guy who easily forgot where his room was. So Kagome escorted Tamaki to the one man who was always prepared for anything, Kyoya.
Tamaki was prattling on about how it was a shame the beautiful people in the world could be burnt when he opened Kyoya's door. His words died in his throat and Kagome's eyes widened considerably. The duo found Kyoya standing by the bed without a shirt, the sheets rustled around, and Haruhi sitting on the bed in a vulnerable position. Kagome was the one who noticed how the covers looked like Haruhi had been lying on it. She hated it, but she knew him and she knew how he did things to his benefit so her mind jumped like Tamaki's to the worst possible conclusion.
"You bastard-" Began the crazed host king, but Kagome strode right into the room, feeling her heart clench at the sight and knowing the cause for it. She actually cared for that prick!
As Kyoya casually got up, pretending that this was an everyday occurrence, Kagome raised a slender hand and slapped him right across the face. Kyoya could ignore slaps of disdain and could normally carry the slap without any regard. But this was different. His cheek burned and he felt gnawing fear creep in the pit of his stomach. Kyoya looked up and in the light of the storm outside could make out the hurt etched over her face. Her luminous blue eyes brimmed with tears right before she turned on her heel and fled out of the room. Kyoya stood there for a moment before he followed after her, his feet quickening when he got out of the room leaving Tamaki and Haruhi behind, turning into a run by the time.
Lightning forked across the inky sky outside as Kyoya chased after Kagome down the hall. He caught up to her and grabbed Kagome's wrist, tugging her back to him. No one was around and it was just they two. She was shaking in the darkness of the mansion, only a few candles were lit and he was well aware of her fears of the dark. Though she was giving him no gesture of kindness, he led her to a small comfy bench where it was brightest in the hallway with three candles. "It wasn't as it seemed," he said. Kagome turned her head away from him in disbelief. "You remember earlier today when Haruhi was tossed off the cliff?" She nodded her head, but her gaze never met his. Kyoya reached out and led her chin towards him with a finger. He needed her to see him telling the truth. In the past Kyoya cared for no one's opinion, but now it seemed there was one person with whose opinion mattered most to him. "I needed Haruhi to realize her vulnerability." Kyoya knew why he was explaining himself when to most people he'd remain silent on matters. "That was all Kagome; I swear it was nothing more. I'm sorry if it appeared otherwise." He liked her. More than he wished he did. And though he remained quiet while speaking to her, his voice strained a bit and she knew he really was trying to explain himself to her. "It wouldn't benefit us if Haruhi kept on throwing herself into danger…"
His voice trailed off when Kagome's fingers took off his glasses making him feel naked under her gaze. She held his face in her hands staring at him and those eyes looking for the truth. When she saw that he wasn't lying, she patted his cheek gently before her hand trailed down his smooth chest. Her palm rested over where his heart was beating quickly. He'd forgotten to put a shirt on when he'd taken off after her. Kagome was nothing but a blur to his vision. She creaked open her mouth, though he couldn't see the lips that moved, he heard the voice. If Kyoya could see he would see the surprise that was clear as day across her own face when she heard the sounds.
"Ky…" She was really struggling to say it, "oh-ah," Kagome spoke his name as she'd tried mouthing it for days. This time the sounds actually came out, but it was rather hoarse. "It's oh…kay." Such a soft voice that hadn't been used in a long time. He could hear the raspy strain, but underneath it he could hear the sweet lilt that was a woman's voice. She slid his glasses back on and smiled bashfully at him as he stared at her for a long awed moment.
"You can speak." She nodded and placed her hand down on the bench next to his. It felt odd hearing her own voice even to her ears. His fingers inched a bit closer to her thin archer's hand. "You have a lovely voice Kagome." She snorted at that and then she moved her hand to slide under his. He laced his fingers with her's and their hands remained joined as they sat out in the hallway basked by the candles on the wall and the moonlight coming in through the window. At some point Kagome scooted over and lay her head on his shoulder against his chest and his arm pulled her against him. The teasing scent of flowers caught his nose. Kyoya didn't have the will power to move her head because he wanted nothing more than to keep her pressed against his side. "Are you tired?" She nodded lazily against his shoulder, her hair sliding over his chest and gently tickling him. Kyoya's arm wrapped gently around her waist. He really didn't want Kagome falling asleep and getting a crick in the neck for leaning on him. The shadow king of the host club tenderly scooped Kagome up, with no protests from the lethargic young woman, and she snuggled her head against him. She was sleepy, but awake, and cast a sweet dimpled smile at him that shook Kyoya to the core. In the soft moonlight she seemed ethereal and he had no doubts about those myths. Kyoya also held no doubts over the feelings he'd developed for her.
He carried her to her fancy schmancy bedroom with all the luxuries of modern furniture for catering to the rich. Kyoya even took the liberty of setting her in the snug large bed, switching on the night light he'd ordered for her room, walking back towards the door, switching off the light, and was going to leave when he caught her faint voice. "Don't." Kyoya was startled, but nevertheless glanced back at her, catching sight of her wide eyes even in the dark of the room as she sat up on her bed. She bit her bottom lip and patted the bed. His heart thudded in his chest and his palms felt sweaty.
"Do you want me to stay?"
She nodded nervously and he slowly approached her bed as if trying not to frighten off a baby deer. Kagome scooted over and opened up the blanket for him to slide in. She knew he couldn't understand her. She was never alone. "Plee-ez." It hurt a bit to try speech, but she wanted him to know how uncomfortable she was without someone by her. Hell, it wasn't like she was letting a stranger into her bed. Kagome knew he was devious, she knew he could be evil, and that he had a skill at underhanded abilities. He'd been all of those things with her.
But he also knew her, paid for her medical bills, had just gotten her a high paying job, sincerely cared about their friendship... though it really didn't help her hormones that she was highly attracted to him in the ear-nibbling-lets-cuddle-way. She didn't know what type of shame she'd feel if he refused and thought she meant something else instead of sleep.
The bed dipped under his weight, shocking Kagome as Kyoya made himself at home right next to her. He eased his long legs under the covers, set his glasses on the nightstand next to it, and he even let her force her freezing feet against his warm legs. Despite how uncomfortable he was lying in his pants, he refrained from taking them off and sleeping in his boxers out of respect towards her. Kyoya rolled over and faced her, looping an arm over her waist, and the blurry vision of Kagome seemed to flash him a smile before her long lashes shut sleepily with a cute yawn. "You really are strange," he commented before closing his own eyes. The storm outside still raged, but they were safe inside under the covers and in good company. The thrumming of the rain on the windows was almost a sweet lullaby despite the cracks of thunder. "Good night Kagome," he whispered in a voice that made Kagome's insides melt.
Her sigh was the sweetest sound he'd heard from her and it lulled his thoughts for a brief moment. At least until he scooted closer so their foreheads were inches apart and Kyoya was hit with something startling. He'd apologized to someone.
Shit! He wasn't just infatuated, he was in love.
A/N: Romantic enough scene? After writing this chapter I found out via the character profiles that Kagome apparently is the same blood type as Honey and Kyoya. That ought to make waking up fun. *_* Fufufufu.